Heroin distribution and abuse will continue to pose a significant
threat to the Northeast. Abuse levels should continue to increase in many
areas, at least for the near term--particularly
among younger individuals from suburban and rural communities, those that
abuse prescription opiates, and employees in the commercial fishing
industry--as should the number of
heroin-related treatment admissions, ED mentions, and deaths. While many
new heroin abusers prefer inhalation as the primary method of
administration, prolonged use can lead to injection. An increase in the
number of injection drug users will result in an increase in the attendant
consequences, including HIV, hepatitis B and C, and other diseases
transferred through needle sharing. In the long term, abuse rates should
peak and stabilize but likely will remain at high levels.